🚨 2018 Kia Soul Turbo: Emergency Neutral
The 2018 Kia Soul Turbo uses a traditional console-mounted automatic transmission shifter with electronic shift lock.
🧰 Drafted with AI under the editorial review of Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — cross-check against your owner’s manual when possible.
⚠️ Chock the wheels first — neutral means the car can roll. Set the parking brake while you work, never stand downhill of the vehicle, and try a 12-volt jump before any override: power fixes most stuck-in-park problems instantly.
The procedure
- Ensure the parking brake is firmly engaged and the vehicle is on level ground.
- Turn the ignition to ACC or ON position if battery has any charge remaining.
- Locate the shift lock override slot - it is a small rectangular opening with a plastic cap, located on the left side of the shifter base near the 'P' position.
- Use a small flathead screwdriver or the metal key blade to pry off the plastic cap covering the override slot.
- Insert the screwdriver or key firmly into the override slot and press down while simultaneously pulling the shifter button and moving the shifter out of Park to Neutral.
- Keep the override pressed until the shifter is fully in Neutral position.
- If the vehicle must be moved any distance, keep the ignition in ACC position if possible to unlock the steering wheel.
Shift-lock override location
Left side of the shifter base near the Park position, covered by a small rectangular plastic cap
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery, the override slot still functions mechanically - no electrical power is required to use it. However, the steering wheel will remain locked. For flatbed loading with locked steering, the front wheels must be on dollies or the vehicle loaded from the rear with front wheels on the deck.